I travel a huge amount. And can draw on a long history of experiences at airports all over the world. But I can unequivocally something is going terribly wrong at CDG these days in security.

Try this on for size. We are all used to pulling out our computers for screening. And used to the occasionally applied "pull out video camera" rule. But today at CDG they were insisting that ANYTHING electronic be pulled out of luggage. And that meant--Blackberry, phone, chargers, cables, any digital camera, flash, iPod......

Never seen this before. Particularly annoying as I was a connecting passenger coming from GVA, where of course none of this stuff has to be pulled out of a brief case.

What is going on a CDG? Why are they inventing a screening rule applied nowhere else in the world (at least as far as my experience)?

Then to top it all off, they decided that foie gras was a "liquid or gel" and that could not go into a carry on.

Yup, went through CDG a couple of months ago and had my purse emptied out completely on me for things like smartphone, ipods etc. which they didn't explicitly ask us to take out ahead of time.

Not here but in IST security was not happy with a large pile of change in my zippered change section of the purse, too. (traveling for weeks through 4 different currencies where we didn't necessarily get a chance to use up remaining change) So chalk that up to something else that might get you a peek through your purse, I guess!

I was surprised to have to take off shoes at CDG, since I'm used to that only when flying to/from/within the US. Otherwise, we've never had to take off shoes in Canada or at any other European airport.

I'm not a real fan of "foie gras", but I can venture a guess as to why it was not allowed through. Liquids, Pastes, Gel's, Lotions, and Aerosols. It hasn�t been just liquids and gels in a very long time.

�Foie gras� has the consistency of a paste, and therefore cannot be allowed. Checked baggage would have been your best bet.

As for the electronics, I couldn�t even begin to guess on that one. I know the BAO�s at my airport have been advocating for just such a policy for a long time now, but I cant ever see it happening as an actual policy.

Hi sfoeuroflyer,

Actually, this policy is only applied at CDG 2E. Got hit by hit a few months ago as well. The worst part was they were looking at my bag, chatting among each others, and no-one was asking me any questions.

Finally, I was called back, but had to leave my laptop at the other side of security (it had already gone through the scan).

When I challenged them on it, they said that it was the policy. To which I told them that no other airport does this, nor any of the other terminals at CDG ... they remained silent.

It's one of the reasons I continue to avoid CDG when I can, even though they have improved the experience a lot overall.

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

Had a hassle with security a couple of years ago and since then have avoided, and will continue to avoid, CDG. In my opinion it rates behind LHR as one of the worse airports in the Europe. The OP's experience is just I am sure one of many. Keep it up CDG, you no longer get my business.

My mother and I also got hit by this at CDG 2E, after a whole bunch of tiny problems that led to our arriving at the terminal after the plane started boarding.

I compounded the problem by getting miffed at the security officer because we were already late and my mother insisted on using the bathroom in the terminal, and I said that I could speak French, which means the security officer asked me if I wanted to speak French. And I barely speak French. Smooth move, me!

GenevaFlyer, why only 2E? Is it a pilot program, no pun intended, or do all the US-bound flights fly out of 2E, or what?

We are traveling from ATL to NAP via CDG (was to be FCO, however Alitalia . . .) This weekend. Was the additional/excessive screening encountered as a departing passenger from CDG or were you transiting from A through CDG to C?

Thanks and travel safe!

My mother and I were flying BCN-CDG-JFK. I think we arrived at CDG 2F and left from 2E. I can't remember what I did with my boarding passes.

Hi,

2E is where most long-distance Skyteam flights leave from. I don't believe it's a pilot program, but I have encountered it at both entrances to 2E (from the open area, or when walking around from 2F).

I've only encountered it when entering 2E, either at the main security checkpoint, or at the one coming from 2F. Entering 2F, I've had nothing similar.

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

You guys are too arguably about security concerns in CDG. You have to be avoidable through CDG. This is not specifiable time to go through to Paris. Only way where you can take another airlines nonstop from EU to USA is better time to have save the times. You don't want too hassles with french security personnels about the policy. Please be advised not go through to CDG anymore. This is not good timing in CDG or anywhere else in France. Please instead only this way where you flying on DL or any others airlines out of country.

Hi N830MH,

Unfortunately, we don't always have the luxury to avoid CDG, whether it's because we've accumulated miles with AF/KL/DL, or because our employers decide what our routing should be based on negociated fares or preferred supplier relationships.

Yes, indeed, when I can, I avoid CDG. On the other hand, I will be fair and say that they have improved significantly in the past few years. The first time I was going through the main security point at 2E, there was a 30 minute line (almost causing me to miss my flight). Since then, I have not seen queues that long, and they have also added priority lanes for elites/biz passengers and for short connections.

Besides, how are you ever going to fly the AF 380 if you are not willing to go through CDG? ;-)

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

Foie gras is also sold of both sides of security at CDG (along with wines and a whole host of other food and drink). Of course, someone buying from the airport concession is probably buying the non-exploding foie gras, although depending on intestinal conditions, it may or may not become explosive after being eaten.

Thank you GenevaFlyer! We are scheduled to arr in 2E and dpt from 2F

Thanks again and have a very Merry Christmas!

Many versions exist with respect to foie gras. It could be considered the consistency of a paste if it is p�t� de foie gras, mousse de foie gras or parfait de foie gras, but not if it is foie gras entier, which is the most expensive kind, and others. In any case, it is not a threat to aviation security.

Thanks to a recent unpleasant experience with AF at 2E, CDG has made the no-fly list.

I thought the French were smarter than this, when it comes to resisting unnecessary stupidity and harassment of air passengers. Now, they can take their harassment and cram it with walnuts.